A ROVER'S STORY

A ROVER'S STORY by Jasmine Warga

Science-y books are not typically in my go-to pile. Therefore, it is with great surprise that I write that this is one of my TOP PICKS for 2026!!

A Rover's Story has been sitting in my TBR pile for a while now. It was a book that I had included in my son's Christmas Book Box a few years ago, and I pulled it off the shelf recently to read through it myself. With the launching of Artemis II, I got it out and dove in. Part way through, I realized that it was a book that I wished I had read aloud to him when he was younger.

A Rover's Story is exactly what the title suggests. It is a story told through the eyes of a rover named Resilience. This book is fictional, but the rover is based off the real life rovers Curiosity and Perseverance that have been sent to Mars to collect data on the red planet. The story is very moving as Resilience develops his thoughts and even emotions due to his programming and the scientists that he is around. It's a book that fits into a lot of categories, because of all the topics it covers. It deals with coming of age if you can say that about a rover. There are a lot of uncertainties that Resilience goes through, and you see confidence begin to build as he understands his abilities. Of course, it's a book about science both in the area of technology creation and space exploration. Warga inserts into the story lots of facts about both of these areas. It's a book that can launch discussion about AI and how technology gathers and grows in its knowledge. ( AI is not specifically mentioned, but you see how Resilience thinks and processes more deeply the more experiences he has.) It is a book that deals with family relations as one of the scientist families is followed. The mother is a big part of Resilience's creation and building, and it keeps her away from home. Her daughter resents this at first, but she begins writing letters to Resilience as she learns more about him which allows her to grow in appreciation and respect for what her mom has done. The book spans a significant amount of years starting when the daughter was young and in elementary school and finishing when she is an adult. SPOLIER ALERT - After Resilience is completed it is discoverd that the mom has cancer. You think that she passes away from it, but she doesn't. Overall, It is an understatement to say how much I realized I enjoyed this book when I finished it and closed the cover. I highly recommend it.

HEADS UP - Just a minor item to be aware of, one of Resilience's specific jobs is to look for signs of life on Mars. The mentions are quick and passing. There are no references to aliens, etc.